Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Information Science.

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2012-08-15T06:27:48Z

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2012-08-15T06:27:48Z

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2008-03

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http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/49218

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Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2008.

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ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study takes as starting point the observation in sensemaking theory that autonomic
arousal is accompanied by a loss of existing frames and cues and the consequential cognitive
implosion. Situations such as these are marked by a crisis in identity construction and the
resultant loss of sense being made. The aim of the study was to find out to what extent this
phenomenon is at play during a merger between two organizations. Specifically to what extent
this phenomenon did manifest itself among the employees of the Central University of
Technology in Welkom after the merger of the former Welkom Campus of Vista University
and the Technikon Free State.
The study starts with an overview of the literature on corporate mergers; focusing on research
on effects with regards to (i) how the different gender groups of employees were affected by
these interruptions, (ii) how employees with diverse levels of experience were affected, (iii) to
what extent the qualifications of employees was a factor regarding the impact of this
autonomic arousal and (iv) whether race was a factor in determining the extent of autonomic
arousal.
The above is followed by an explanation of the sensemaking perspective and the nature of and
moment for autonomic arousal. It is argued that organizational mergers represent an
interruption in the ongoing flow of sensemaking that could lead to autonomic arousal.
Using sensemaking theory and autonomic arousal as a theoretical starting point, interviews
were conducted with key figures in the specific merger between the Vista University Welkom
Campus and the Technikon Free State. The respondents were selected using the snowballing
sampling technique. The idea behind the interviews was to demonstrate how staff members
were emotionally affected by the interruption of the merger and how it had an impact on their
perceptions about their work.
It was found that the flow of experience was interrupted and as cues and frames were reduced,
the employees focussed more on personal issues.